MAITHRI THERA OF NEPAL
In a historic ordination ceremony held in 1968 at Maradana Sri Lanka Vidyalaya, 10 boys from Nepal and Indian noble families were ordained under the guidance of the late Ven Baddegama Wimala Wansa Anunayaka Thera and the Ven. Amithananda Thera of Nepal.
Among the Indian young boys who entered the Sasana order of Buddhist monks was one who came to be known as Maithri Thera after the ordination. Then aged 14 years he was a boy from the Thrisul Village in Nepal famous for gold craft, about 70 km from Kathmandu City.
The boy's ambition from his childhood was to become a Buddhist monk, but his father a school principal did not like his son to live as a recluse. However he was able to join the sasana under the guidance of the Ven Amithananda Thera of Nepal.
He did his studies at the Sri Lanka Vidyalaya for twelve years from 1968 to 1980 as a resident student and after the higher ordination status in 1976 under the guidance of the Ven. Buduruwa Uttarananda Thera of the Kalutara Bodimaluwa, he read for a Diploma and BA degree at the Kelaniya University in the English medium.
While in Sri Lanka he compiled and presented half hour programmes " News for Nepal" for the Hindi Section of Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation in 1976 and two more programmes "Irida Sangrahya' and "Sandella"
In 1981 after completing his studies, he returned to his mother land with the hope of rendering his service in gratitude to the land which paved the way for his entry to the Sasana.
The opportunity of being appointed to the school in Ananda Kuti Temple in Nepal was a stimulation for the Social works he intended to render for his country, Nepal. The opportunity to inaugurate the Anandakuti Bright Boys School (AKBBS) was an
In 1981 after completing his studies, he returned to his mother land with the hope of rendering his service in gratitude to the land which paved the way to his entry to the Sasana However Maithri Thera dedicated and continued to work hard for the benefit of the people by providing them with food, clothing and financial assistance, and was successful in relieving young girls from early marriages
important coincidence with his new position to teach Buddhism in English which led to the formation of Nepal Bright …. Society(NBSS) and subsequent establishment of Dhamma Schools in 25 temples and the Bhikku Centre, 'Sangaram' was also established in the same year- 1981.
He was prominent in holding a Buddhist convention in order to distinguish pure Buddhism from ambiguous concepts.
When living in Buddhagaya implementing his LTD Gara programme, he was convinced of the difficulty of relieving the poor residents of the area from misconceptions, beliefs and rituals they had been following for centuries which have attributed to the degradation of their social and cultural status combined with poor health and education conditions. Under these circumstances compelling very young girls around 12 years of age into marriage was a frequent occurrence hindering their education and social life.
However Maithri Thera dedicated and continued to work hard for the benefit of the people by providing them with food, clothing and financial assistance, and was successful in relieving young girls from early marriages
Being aware of the importance of media in the propaganda activities relating to the spreading of Buddhism he made a successful attempt at starting a Buddhist Sector in the Nepal broadcasting service and getting an opportunity in television service for the same purpose.
Another important event in his service to Buddhism was the ordination of ten youths each year in 1981, 82, 83, 84 and making arrangement for sending these novice monks to various temples in Sri Lanka for their studies. From 1998 he began to ordain youths in the Buddhist order which continued till 2012. Today there are about 400 Nepalese monks in Sri Lanka ordained by him who also engaged in Buddhist activities while continuing with their studies.
In appreciation of his dedication to religious work and helping the poor to ease their difficulties and for advancement of the education, he has been offered distinguished positions in several social and religious organisations. Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) - Spiritual Advisor Ananda Trust Board - Chief Incumbent and Director Sangarama Bhikku Institute Vice President IBF Vice president and Chief Trustee Lumbini Community Learners Centre (LCLC) Chairman. After the passing away of the Nepalese Ven. Amithananda Thera in 1990, Maithri Thera was compelled to go to Lumbini in India, where he was entrusted with administrative activities of the Sri Lanka pilgrim rest house in Lumbini.
The service of Maithri Thera for the revival of Buddhism in Nepal is highly commendable. He had offered many novice monks to the sasana, some of whom are actively engaged in religious services in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
-